American Cancer Society

Former Mayor Norma Hertzog-Wagner returned to Costa Mesa, her old hometown, in May after 17 years away. Then, Friday, she got to be part of history. Hertzog-Wagner, who served two terms during the 1970s and 1980s, was among the speakers and walkers in the city's first Relay for Life at Orange Coast College on Friday. The American Cancer Society has sponsored the fundraising walks since 1985, but until Friday, Costa Mesa had never hosted one within its boundaries. For that matter, Hertzog-Wagner, a breast cancer survivor, had never walked in a relay before.

NEWPORT BEACH — Amid death and cancer, Rich Saul can still smile. He was grinning plenty Wednesday, not just because he was receiving an award but also because he had another day of life. Saul, a Newport Beach resident and former NFL great who is battling leukemia, received the patient courage award from the American Cancer Society at the Newport Beach Marriott. The award is given to the cancer patient or survivor who has shown exceptional courage in the fight with cancer, and who typically helps the American Cancer Society reach out and motivate others in the fight against cancer.

The OCC track was surrounded with decorated white paper bags filled with candles. Dorene Daily and her husband, Marty, stopped when they noticed a bag with the name of one of their colleagues, Denny Bowler. ?We?re here to support him,? Dorene said. ?He?s not doing well at all,? Marty added. ?Fourteen years he?s been a survivor of prostate cancer.? The Dailys were part of a 10-member team supporting Bowler at Costa Mesa?s Relay for Life Friday, but the family has had its own struggles with cancer, too. Dorene is on her second round of chemotherapy for colon cancer, which she was diagnosed with less than two months ago. This is not her first Relay for Life, though.

Orange Coast Middle College High School students are hoping a little music will go a long way for the American Cancer Society. The students have helped to organize a concert to support Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the Crossing Community Church Loft in Costa Mesa. Tempus Fusion, Sprawl, Kurtis Schureman, Taylor Smith and Paper Thin Walls will perform. Paper Thin Walls recently played at an after party for Led Zeppelin after the band’s reunion concert in London.

GETTING INVOLVED runs periodically in the Daily Pilot on a rotating basis. For information on adding your organization to this list, call (949) 574-4298. ACADEMIC YEAR IN AMERICA Costa Mesa families can host a German student and earn up to $1,000 toward a number of travel-abroad programs. Danielle Carpino, (800) 322-HOST. ALS ASSN., ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER The Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assn., which helps people who have the disorder that is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, needs volunteers.

Rich Saul will be remembered for his work as a football player, as he should. He was a great center for the Rams. But he was so much more than the player. Saul passed away Sunday. He was 64. He had been battling leukemia since 2003, the Orange County Register reported. Saul's wife told the Register he came home April 2 for hospice care after he stayed at Hoag Hospital for 10 days. The leukemia had recently progressed to his brain, the Register reported. What a remarkable man. He had this disease and not only did he fight against it, he performed charitable acts for cancer awareness.

Each September she's a familiar sight at the Orange County Fairgrounds, whizzing by in a golf cart saturated in patriotic bling, while inspecting men's arms for a telltale bandage or cotton ball. For Orange County resident and Cruisin' for a Cure founder Debbie Baker, the annual (and wildly popular) car show serves two purposes: entertainment and prevention. Her mission is to ensure that every man of "a certain age" who attends the event is tested for prostate cancer — via a simple, free blood test; not the probing digital test that most men abhor.

Joseph Henry “Mick” Arnold died at home July 6, 2010, after battling cancer.  Born to Joseph and Blanche Arnold, Mick grew up in San Gabriel and Newport Beach. He attended Orange Coast College and the University of Colorado.  Mick worked for Exxon Chemical and then a respected real estate broker of farm and ranch properties in Eugene, Ore.  The Arnolds retired early this year to Sahuarita, Ariz.  Mick will be remembered for his sense of humor, love of fishing, avid Oregon Duck fan support, but most of all, his gentle and thoughtful manner.

The Relay for Life held May 15 and 16 at Newport Harbor High School raised $120,000 to fund cancer research. The money raised comes on the heels of a similar Relay for Life event that was held at Orange Coast College this past weekend. That event raised roughly $70,000, bringing the total to nearly $190,000. More than 1,000 participants, forming 38 teams, walked around the track for 24 hours straight at the high school, swapping tales of survival while remembering those who died of cancer.

Hundreds of Orange County residents, some in memory of those dear to them, others in the name of survivors, walked around the race track at Orange Coast College on Saturday, kicking off Relay for Life. In what is beginning to turn into a popular, annual 24-hour event to raise money for cancer research, they turned out in large numbers to participate. Some ran around the track. Others walked. Just about everybody had fun doing it, knowing it was for a good cause. The highlight came a few hours after night fell, when hundreds of candles were placed around the track to light the way and symbolizing the great numbers of those who have either died from cancer or have beaten it down.

Hundreds gathered in Newport Beach on Saturday with one goal in mind: To stand as one in the face of cancer. There were some who fought cancer and survived; others were there in support of friends and family members and some were there in memory of loved ones who lost the battle. “This is a great example of Newport Beach coming together as a community to support those who have been stricken by cancer,” said Mayor Keith Curry. Curry, who attended the ninth annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Newport Beach with his wife, Pamela, said the cause strikes a chord too close to home for him. Pamela Curry is an 11-year breast cancer survivor.

NHHS Team Captain Page Keys invites everyone to come support The American Cancer Society at this weekends Relay for Life at Newport Harbors Track from Saturday May 15th 10am to Sunday 10am. Page has been walking in the Relay for LIfe since 2001. She was Co-Captain of the Ensign team last year and has started the 1st ever Newport Team. Our family best firend, David "Bucko" Shaw, died in our home after his brave fight with liver cancer. Cancer has touch everyone's life in some way, please come and help fight this terrible disease.